Christmas is two months away and many of us might not want to think about winter just yet, but if you plan on creating some natural homemade gifts, planning and starting to make them now will be less stressful once the hustle and bustle is in full swing. Gifts that are easy, practical, and natural are the best ones!

Lip balm

Who doesn't need a homemade lip balm when the temperatures turn colder? Dry skin is bothersome in the winter. Try this simple recipe with beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin E. Coconut oil is moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-viral, and contains essential fatty acids. Organic beeswax acts as a protective barrier for the skin, and it's also moisturizing, softening, anti-inflammatory, and contains vitamin A. The vitamin E oil provides protection against toxins.

Place the coconut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E in a double boiler or in a glass bowl in a pot of boiling water. Allow the ingredients to melt. Add the vanilla extract. Pour into containers and let cool.

Melt the shea butter in a double boiler and let cool a few minutes. Stir in dried lavender. Pour one cup into a glass measuring cut. Add oils. Pour into molds.

Honey Oatmeal Soap

Again, this homemade soap is full of healing ingredients and devoid of chemicals. Honey on the skin is anti-bacterial, is full of antioxidants, and is moisturizing. Oatmeal is anti-inflammatory, a cleansing agent, and is great at exfoliating.

Make your favorite pictures into useful coasters for friends and family. Take a ceramic tile and glue a photo down using modge podge. Let it dry. Then coat the top of the picture with more modge podge. Let this dry thoroughly and spray with krylon crystal clear spray. Once everything is dry, add some felt pads to the bottom of the tile.

These simple but creative and useful homemade gifts will be a hit. Ingredients can be easily found online or in your local crafting store. Get a head start on these wonderful gifts for your friends and family.